Which beta version is best to try?

[Jeremiah]

Hi,

Currently trying out the last release version 35.  Having fun overall in spite of some difficulties.

However, Mae'var is always berserk upon entering his area so the thief's guild quest is broken so I cannot recruit Edwin.

The NPCs including Bernard became hostile when my party tarried to get to the confrontation betwen Hendak and Lehtninan.  Easily circumvented by hurrying.  Also I could not speak to Hendak while he was caged to initiate the Beastmaster quest but it was considered done anyway.

The irritating enemies are Shadows, Wraiths and similar Undead (Neb's child wraiths anyone) that are now scripted to use Mirror Image, Monster Summoning, Cloudkill, Flesh to Stone, Shout and similar spells.  I read they had these as innate abilities in BG2 but were scripted not to use them as these creatures are not supposed to have them.  They are supposed to have stat or energy draining abilities.  Just ctrl+y all their summons helps but they yield very small xp for the amount of effort you need to get rid of them especially as they travel in packs.  Maybe once Aerie reaches high levels as a Morninglord and Eagle's splendor casting?

Funny thing to see one of the githyankis yield over 90,000 xp from Jan's quest.  They were tough though.  Just a bit of cheesy tactics got me through.

Also NPCs disappear and don't appear where they are supposed to.  Nalia left the party due to impatience and she was nowhere to be found at the palisade.  Jan stayed behind and did not reappar after the child in his quest was cured so the cut scene never takes place.  I can only import him back into my party afterwards.

Overall, pretty challenging and fun but was hoping that maybe one of the earlier Betas would make a more tolerable experience? Any suggestions.

[Jeremiah]

Forgot to add that the party got stuck in the dream sequences .  Good thing the move to area works for going back to Copper Coronet.

As well the golems in d'Arnise are buggy in that they do not become red when attacked but strike back without taking damage.  Only time they really go hostile red is when you plunder a statue.  And funny thing is the other golems ATTACKED the hostile golems LOL.

[Andyr]

We know about the bugs, but Weimer's been too busy to continue development for a while. So playing it is more of a curiosity (or for if someone wants to take up the challenge of fixing issues caused in the conversion) than as an actual playing experience.

[Jeremiah]

Yeah, I realize that .

Just wanted to see if one of the other Beta versions would be better recommended to try as a lark (i.e. the least broken version).  Version 35 has been fun though.

Anybody think the Slavers and Orog encounters in Chapter 2 are pretty hard for a level 4 party LOL?

[Andyr]

The most recent beta is probably the most stable, yeah.

[Jeremiah]

Not sure if most stable  .  But definitely v 35 reintroduces bugs from previous versions that Weimer supposedly addressed.

For example, some trolls in druid grove engaging the auto-buff at Almost Dead script to cast mirror image, stoneskin and protection from evil (those 3 engaging the party of two fighters, druid and mage).  And those 3 fighters just outside of the druid grove turns out to have the two of them scripted as mages instead (sort of like the Shadows and other undead LOL).  Plus sometimes the other two attacks the hostile one if you keep the party away and outright kills the hostile elf.

Strange that Ihtafeer gives paltry xp compared to trolls.  I mean those rakshasas cast damaging area effect spells on top of the party without taking any damage LOL.

So wondering which of the earliest versions is the most enjoyable to use.

[Andyr]

I would say they are mostly equally enjoyable, though if it is enjoyability you are after I would choose a different mod until someone finishes this one.